Traffic camera proposal advances
By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer
Don't call them van cams.
By any other name, though, traffic enforcement cameras are making a comeback at the Legislature.
Two state House committees yesterday approved a bill that would breathe new life into a controversial program, killed two years ago, that uses automated cameras to catch speeders and red-light running drivers.
The new proposal, however, shies away from many of the features that made the state-run "van cam" program one of the most unpopular public policy initiatives in Hawai'i history.
The still-evolving bill would authorize counties, rather than the state, to start their own traffic camera programs. Unlike the previous program, the cameras would be operated by police officers, aimed only at "excessive speeders" and return fines to local authorities, rather than a private company.
The automated cameras also would be mounted on fixed posts at designated locations, not placed in those hated roving vans introduced in 2002.
"They aren't van cams. I consider that a dirty word," said Rep. Kirk Caldwell, who introduced the new language into a Senate bill (SB2344) passed by the House Transportation and Public Safety committees yesterday.
"This bill is very different from the previous program. It's a home-rule initiative that allows the counties to deter speeding and promote safety and to keep the fines they make from it," said Caldwell, D-24th (Manoa), who gave the initiative a 50-50 chance of passing this year.
Opponents plan to fight
Although some details of the program would be left up to the counties, Caldwell said the Legislature's intent is to apply the law to only those going at least 15 or 20 mph over the speed limit.
Opponents vowed a bitter fight, however.
"If they're thinking this fixes the problem, they're terribly wrong," said Rep. Kika Bukoski, R-12th (Upcountry Maui). "I don't think this is about safety at all. It's about revenue. They're still taking a dragnet approach to the problem. They just want to throw out the net and see what they catch."
Several other representatives who voted to repeal the old program said yesterday they support the revised plan.
"I'm glad we repealed that crazy old program," said Rep. Ken Ito, D-48th (Kane'ohe), "but I'm seeing guys now going 70 miles per hour in the rain and I'm scared. I think it's about time we come up with something new to save lives."
Several people interviewed in downtown Honolulu yesterday afternoon agreed.
"If it wasn't for all the racers, maybe they wouldn't need the cameras," said Mike Brennan, a law clerk taking a break at Fort Street Mall. "If it helps change the way people drive, then I'd be in favor."
"Whether it's van cams or not, something's got to be done to slow people down," said Jonas Knight, a Hawai'i Pacific University student.
What about all those people, though, who complained so much when the van cams were capturing thousands of people going five or 10 mph over the speed limit?
"The only ones grumbling back then were all the ones that were getting caught," said Wai'anae resident Nani Kahana. "Even with all the innocent people getting killed now, the ones who are speeding will still be grumbling."
The bill, which was heard yesterday with limited public notice, drew only two official testifiers.
One was City Councilman Nestor Garcia, who last week called for the city to start a traffic camera program that would be limited to catching excessive speeders. Garcia has since been flooded with calls and e-mails.
"About 80 percent of them are grateful that I raised the issue and have pledged their support," said Garcia, who as a member of the House of Representatives voted to kill the old program.
Driver in the picture
Acting on the recommendation of the city prosecutor's office, lawmakers yesterday amended the bill to include a provision requiring that the face of the driver be included in any pictures taken by the camera to ensure that citations can be upheld in court.
Under the old law, which took only a picture of the car's license plate, the state had no way of proving that the registered owner of the car was operating it at the time of the violation.
Bukoski said that's just the type of issue that makes some people so passionately opposed to any traffic camera enforcement.
"Pretty soon there will be a camera on every pole watching us," he said. "We're going to be living in a fish bowl, and a lot of people don't want the government taking a picture of them all the time, even when they're doing nothing wrong."
The bill now goes to the House Judiciary Committee.
Reach Mike Leidemann at 525-5460 or mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com.
